IHSA Diamond Notes: Week 3
April 9, 2025
Each week, IHSA coaches around the state submit to us their nominations for the Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week and Prep Baseball Illinois Pitcher of the Week honors. Yesterday, we awarded the Week 3 Player of the Week honor to OF/LHP Conor Essenburg (Lincoln-Way West, 2025; Kentucky) and the Pitcher of the Week honor to LHP Zach Toma (West Aurora, 2026). Essenburg and his club made the trip down to our LakePoint facility in Emerson, GA to take on some of the top teams from around the country and Essenburg made an immediate impact, going 7-for-16 with two home runs, three doubles, 10 RBI, six runs scored and three walks - helping the Warriors to a perfect 4-0 clip on the week. Toma fired a seven inning no-hitter, striking out 20 along the way with no walks - taking a perfect game into the seventh where a dropped third strike ended the bid with just one out to go. On top of setting his school’s record for strikeouts in a game (20), he also set a West Aurora record for consecutive batters struck out, punching out the first 15 batters of the game. It is also worth noting that of his 90 pitches, 70 were strikes.
There were a number of other impressive performances that were in the mix for the award and deserve recognition. Here’s a look at some of the most notable.
WEEK 3 DIAMOND NOTES
+ Landyn Corbin, RHP (Normal Community, 2026):
Uncommitted, Corbin started on the mound in Normal Community’s 12-0 win against Peoria Notre Dame. The right-hander threw a five inning complete game, allowing only two hits, no walks, and striking out seven.
+ Reece Bohlen, SS/RHP (Staunton, 2026):
Uncommitted, Bohlen makes his second appearance on the Diamond Notes, he started on the bump in a 7-0 win against Hillsboro. Threw seven innings allowing no hits, no runs, two walks while striking out 17 hitters. One of the most impressive stat lines from the week.
+ Grady Davis, INF/RHP (Belleville East, 2025):
Uncommitted, two-way senior, at the plate was 5-for-7 on the week with two doubles, two RBIs, four runs, and two stolen bases. On the mound, made two relief appearances on the week, throwing 7.2 innings allowing zero earned runs, four hits, three walks, and 14 strikeouts.
+ Colin Doyle, RHP (Downers Grove North, 2027):
Uncommitted, made an appearance out of the bullpen for Downers Grove North in their 10-8 win against Mt. Carmel, throwing 4.1 innings, striking out ten, allowing three hits, no runs, and one walk.
+ Aaron Volle, RHP, CF (Mt. Pulaski, 2027):
Uncommitted, started on the mound in a 8-3 win over Pontiac, throwing four innings allowing only one hit, two runs, one walk, and striking out four. At the plate, Volle went 2-for-3 with a walk, one double, two RBIs, and a run.
+ Sebastian Reyes, RHP (St. Rita, 2025; Saint Xavier):
Saint Xavier commit, Reyes was one out away from throwing a complete game, throwing 6.2 innings in Saturday’s 2-0 win at De La Salle striking out 13, allowing only 2 hits, and no runs.
+ Greg Campitelli, RHP (New Trier, 2026):
Uncommitted, Campitelli went the distance on Monday against Buffalo Grove in a 8-0 win, throwing a no-hitter. The right-hander threw seven innings allowing no hits, no runs, walking one, and striking out five.
+ Gavin Triezenberg, SS/3B (Brother Rice, 2025; Arizona):
Arizona Wildcats recruit Triezenberg had an impressive week at the plate finishing 7-for-11 with two doubles, three RBIs, four runs, and three stolen bases out of the leadoff spot for the Crusaders.
+ Caden Kendall, RHP/SS (Andrew, 2026):
Uncommitted, started on the mound against Richards in a 5-2 win, tossing a complete game, seven innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits, one walk, and struck out ten.
+ Aidan Whildin, CF/DH (Kaneland, 2026):
Uncommitted, across a four game stretch, Whildin went 10-for-14 at the plate, with two doubles, two triples, drove in three RBIs, scoring four runs, with a stolen base as the Knights went 3-1 during the stretch
+ Anthony Nottage, C (Glenbrook South, 2026):
Uncommitted, the backstop had a clutch two RBI double to take the lead in the 10th inning on Saturday against Cary-Grove, securing the win. Finished the week 4-for-9 with a walk, two doubles, four RBIs, and a run.
+ Jackson Dorris, DH/OF (Alton (Sr.), 2025):
Uncommitted senior Dorris had a quality week at the plate going 5-for-11 with three walks, a double, homer, three RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base for the Redbirds.
+ Reid Murray, RHP/IF (Alton (Sr.), 2025):
Uncommitted, Murray was a part of a combined no-hitter in the big 19-0 win against the St. Louis Patriots. The right hander started the game going five innings allowing no hits, no runs, walking two, and striking out nine.
LOCKPORT
The Porters went 2-1 last week with a win over Oak Park-River Forest (4-5) and Joliet West (2-7), with a loss to No. 8 Minnoka (7-1). Below were some of their top performers:
+ Bryce Flood, INF (Lockport, 2025; MSOE):
Flood had a strong week at the plate at the top of the order for the Porters finishing 4-for-10 with four runs, two walks, and two stolen bases.
+ Logan Nagle, 3B (Lockport, 2025; Lake Land JC):
The Lakers recruit was a run producer out of the cleanup spot for the porters throughout the week, finishing 4-for-10 with a double, four RBIs, and a walk. Had a big hit late in the game against No. 8 Minnoka.
+ Anthony Farina, LHP (Lockport, 2027):
Uncommitted, the southpaw started in the loss against No. 8 Minnoka but gave an impressive showing, going 5.1 innings allowing three runs on only three hits with no walks, and striking out six. A solid start against a potent Minnoka offense.
+ Trace Schaaf, LHP (Lockport, 2026):
Uncommitted, left-handed pitcher Schaaf had a quality start in the 6-5 win against Joliet West, throwing four innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.